Penguins sign three-year deal with Michel Therrien

This kind of blows my "nobody wants to play for Therien" conspiracy theory out of the water.  I can't imagine Shero would re-sign a guy that is costing the team players.  Besides, Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, and Orpik all signed for less then they might have otherwise received.  And Orpik had issues with Therien...so he must not be that bad.  Based purely on his record and the fact that the team plays within a disciplined system that sees success regardless of injuries this is a good signing.

While I am not currently in a position to look at that Youtube video, I can sit here quite comfortably and say that he had some dandy rants on his players while with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Montreal must be kicking themselves right now having seen Therrien's success with this organization.

I don't agree with this signing.  Maybe a 1 year extension, but a 3 year extension?  He was severely out coached in the Finals and his only strategy was to complain about the officiating.  Therrien was right for this team, but the players have outgrown him at this point.

I agree with Seth/Faceoff Factor/Eddy Spaghetti/anyone with a moticon of common sense.  Where's all the bashing comming from?  The guy has done nothing but win.  

Ooooh, he's rubbing 3rd-liners the wrong way?  Who cares?  Coaches do that.  Herb Brooks and Scotty Bowman weren't exactly captain cuddly.  Ditto Knoll and Cowher down the street.  But, you win and you stay.  Sounds like good business to me.

Besides which, the rotating door of NHL coaches is beyond ridiculous.  Its absurd that 3 years is considered a "long" extension in the NHL.  There's no time for a coach to help build a franchise when they're worried about getting fired everytime a team goes through a losing streak.  

And for the Therrian haters...who would you bring in to replace him?  

Hey, Fruscello - stick with Fantasy Football!  LOL!

I do not think the kids have outgrown him at all.  At some point everyone hiccups or burps along the way and has to stop momentarily.  With all of the injuries and key performers not contributing, I doubt that there could have been much that Therrien could have done to get more out of the group of the players that was on the ice.  They played their hearts out.  They gave what they had to give, left it all on the table.  I don't think that's an indictment of Therrien being "outcoached" at all, I think it says more to the growth process that is (and will continue to be) a part of the Penguins team make up for a long while.  I think having the consistency behind the bench is a key thing with the 3 year extension.  Therrien did an excellent job.  I can hardly wait til we go again come fall!

Fruscetto, you can stay home and ponder your NHL roster moves on your computer, rather than take an active interest in something that seems to be a bit out of your realm of expertise.  Leave that part to Seth.

I like the move he earned this deal.  Besides coaches dont count against the cap anyway.  I think the Sudent Rush should have 8 games (hopefully those 4 selected games are all give away days).  I live in NJ and never took advantage of that program but its a shame but your right 4 is better than nothing.  I hope to make it to the OCT 16th game against the Caps (stub hub most likely) and March 28th against the Rangers (my two Ranger fan cousins come to that one hopefully wont have to use stub hub probably will).  I was at game 3 best hockey atmosphere for me although history wise Gretzkys last game tops all.

Great signing.  For some people, he just can't do anything right.  If we lose, its because Therrien sucks.  If we win, its in spite of Therrien because he sucks.  He can't win.

Anyone remember what their expectations were for the Pens at the beginning of last season?  I know I thought the publications saying we'd make the finals were ridiculous.  I figured we would win a round or two.  For the second straight year the club has exceeded my expectations and I think it's a shame that Therrien gets absolutely no credit for that from some people.

Here's to another great season.  In Shero We Trust

I think it's a great signing.  The guy's teams have won games and exceeded expectations at every turn.  And when was the last time a Pens team was lauded for their defense?

Maybe was out-coached in the finals.  But just maybe the Wings were a damn good (and more experienced) team too...

The least Shero could do is give the guy a little security.

I'm guessing he just stared at Shero until he got a deal he liked.

Actually Boarding.Major, my "expertise" is in all sports.  The fact of the matter is that Therrien got out coached badly on the biggest stage in hockey.  He will NOT win a Stanley Cup.  A talented team with a good coach will always beat a talented team with an average coach.

Nick with all due respect, in your latest post you stated the obvious--of course in a case of two talented teams, the better coach should tip the balance.

The difference is that I, like most people, think that Therrian is a good coach. :)

I did a brief post on my LJ about how much I like this signing, not the least of which is because it gives him leverage over those he coaches.

-Rob

Nick,

Just wondering who we should bring in to outcoach Mike Babcock since Therrien can't win a cup in your opinion.  Maybe I should rephrase that ... what coach do you think could have lead the Pens past the Wings in the Stanley Cup Final?

i think both sides are right on this one.

like the signing.  like that it gives T "leverage" over his players.  like the fact that he stresses defense.  the Penguins playing solid D still amazes me.  LOTS of +'s.

however...he did get outcoached in the SCF.  yes, Detroit was a better, more experienced team.  but he knew that going in and yet demonstrated no creativity in his role as underdog.  as the underdog, you MUST get creative, you must take some calculated risks.  you don't panic, but you can't sit on your hands and do nothing either.

he needed a split of the first two games and the Pens failed to manufacture a single goal.  

that said, he's a smart guy.  and i'm sure he learned from the experience.

bottom line:  i'm happy to see him extended.

Well I don't know who will be available in a couple years, so can't say who they should hire in his place.  I think its important for the Pens to get a coach that understands the importance of playing good team defense, uses his puck moving defensemen the right way and uses his best players the most.  Crosby played between 19-22 minutes per game in the Finals.  Yes, that's more than anyone else on the team, but for such an important series he should have been around 28-31 minutes.  The same goes for Hossa who has been a Red Wings killer in the past.  

As I mentioned in my first post, a one year extention maybe, but 3 more years of Theirren?  He could always learn from the past and make adjustments, but based on all of the adjustments he made in the Finals, or lack thereof, I don't see that happening.  

This was a good signing.  If Theirren's bench coaching was the reason the Pens lost in the finals or not is very debatable, but there is no doubt all his work over the years developing those guys was a huge part of the reason the team got there.  He has earned the opportunity to bring a cup back to Pittsburgh.  

Next year should be a good test.  If Theirren can keep Satan interested in playing hard the entire year he would get my vote for the Jack Adams (if I had one).

Uh, guys? It's a two-year extension, not three. He was already signed through 08-09. The first year of this three-year contract just replaces that year.

I agree with Nick. One year makes sense. Three, at this point in time, time absolutely does not. Let's see what Therrien can do with this year's roster.

On a semi-related note, what's up with you folks ripping Nick (the fantasy sports guy) a new one? I can tell you first hand that one of the primary reasons I won my fantasy hockey league last year in convincing fashion is because of Nick's advice. Nick is a walking sports encyclopedia and definitely knows what he is talking about. Give the guy a break.

@ patcartwright: Who is Knoll?

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